Impact of structurally diverse polysaccharides on colonic mucin O-glycosylation and gut microbiota

Abstract

Understanding how dietary polysaccharides affect mucin O-glycosylation and gut microbiota could provide nutrition-based treatments for individuals. In this study, the O-glycan profile and gut microbiome were investigated in C57BL/6J mice fed six structurally diverse dietary polysaccharides and a mixture of six fibers. Dietary polysaccharides increased total O-glycans mainly by increasing neutral glycans. Highly branched arabinogalactan significantly increased the level of terminally fucosylated core 1 O-glycans; whereas linear chains polysaccharides including pectin, konjac glucomannan, oligofructose (inulin), and mixture favored terminally di-fucosylated O-glycans. The last three also significantly lowered the level of sulfated O-glycans and sialylated mono-fucosylated O-glycans. Mixed polysaccharides had a synergistic effect, more significantly increasing fucosylated neutral glycans while decreasing acidic glycans, and stimulated microbial richness and diversity. Dietary polysaccharides containing arabinose and sulfate groups enhancedthe relative abundances of Akkermansia and Muribaculaceae, respectively. This systematic comparison reveals the relationship between dietary polysaccharide structure, mucin O-glycan composition, and intestinal microorganisms.